About this fungus
Umber-brown Puffball is a fungus in the Agaricaceae family. Its habitat and field characteristics are summarised below.
A small pear-shaped brown puffball with fine dark spines and granules, usually found on woodland soil under conifers.
What to check
For identification, confirm short grouped dark spines, a thin skin and a well-developed sterile base. Any puffball-like specimen considered further must be cut lengthways. The fertile upper interior must be completely uniform, firm and white, with no outline of cap, gills, stem or other internal structure.
Lookalikes
Lycoperdon molle and other small brown puffballs can require microscopy. Earthballs have a tougher skin and soon develop a dark purple-brown interior. Immature Amanita and other gilled mushrooms show a developing mushroom outline when sectioned and can be dangerously toxic.
Habitat and range
Saprotrophic on soil, moss and litter, often in sandy conifer woodland. Regional puffball concepts vary, so surface colour alone is not sufficient.
Food safety
Edibility is uncertain or disputed.